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Cutaway drawing of the Interior of the Ka'ba, the floor and lower parts of which are paved in marble

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The Black Stone, the holy relic embedded in a corner of the Ka'ba that is kissed by many pilgrims. It was revered as sacred in Mecca prior to the founding of Islam. Muslim tradition says the Black Stone was found by Abraham (Ibrahim) and his son Ishmael (Ismail) when they were searching for stones with which to build the Kaaba. According to popular belief, it absorbs the sins of those who touch it.